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Virgin Mobile's MSL Algorithm

Here's the deal: I bought a used Virgin Mobile Helio Ocean 2 (made by Pantech) that was activated 9/2/09 with PRL 20231. Using this information AND knowing that VM bought Helio in June of 2008, this means that the phone was activated with VM service.

I keep contacting VM because I need the phone's MSL to flash the phone, but they keep telling me they don't have the code because "it's not a VM device" (BUT IT WAS, just not anymore) and they can't calculate it because the Ocean 2's ESN isn't in their database anymore (since VM dropped Helio).

I feel like that's not true. I might agree with them that they don't have records of the phone in their database, but the phone was indeed activated with VM, so doesn't that mean they would have used their algorithm to give the phone its MSL code? Regardless of the ESN not being in their database anymore, can't they still use the algorithm?

Is there any other way to get the MSL code?

By the way, before anyone tries to tell me I can't flash the phone, I have heard of one other person who has. And for those of you who tell me the phone won't connect to a PC, I have contacted several Ocean2 owners who say using the original USB cable for the phone, a PC recognized the device as a Mass Storage Device.

So, with General Pantech Drivers (worked with TXT8040 and PN810A), the phone should connect to a COM port and be readable. I'm working on trying to get an original Ocean 2 USB cable...it was certainly different as it had some sort of On/Off switch on it or something. It looked like this:

Sorry about the long post, but any information about VM and their MSLs is much appreciated.